Rice Fortification

Rice Fortification - FSSAI (Fortified Rice Kernels Testing Services)

Are you a Fortified Rice Kernels (FRK) manufacturer? Is your rice kernels fortification business fulfilling all the regulatory requirements? Are you getting tested for Rice Fortification from an authorized laboratory notified by FSSAI? Before it goes out for consumption and distribution, it is mandatory to ensure and assure that the quality of the fortified rice is not compromised and must be developed on the basis of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP).

FRK as a targeted food vehicle

• Fortified rice kernels are blended with normal rice at fixed proportions to achieve mandatory fortification levels set by the regulatory agencies.
• Rice Fortification is a targeted food vehicle to reduce vitamin and mineral deficiencies as rice is considered to be the major staple food for more than 70 percent of the Indian population.
• Rice also constitutes a significant percentage of the grains distributed and cooked under the government social security nets through delivery channels like PDS, MDM, or ICDS.

What is Rice Fortification?

• Rice Fortification is the practice of purposely increasing the essential micronutrients like vitamins and minerals in rice to ameliorate and enhance the nutritional quality.
• The process of milling and polishing removes natural vitamins and minerals in rice which makes it an incomplete food. This is why the method of rice kernels fortification is used to add minerals and vitamins which could fulfill the nutritional gaps.
• Notably, rice is fortified using dusting, coating or extrusion technology.
• Rice can be fortified by adding vitamin premix to the rice that sticks to the grains.
• It can also be extruded and shaped into partially pre-cooked grain-like structures which appear like rice grains.
• Rice kernels can be fortified with several micronutrients, such as iron, folic acid, Vitamin B12 and other B-complex vitamins, vitamin A and zinc.

FSSAI's Recommendations

Fortified Rice Kernels (FRK) produced using extrusion technology are made with rice flour and micronutrients such as iron, folic acid, Vitamin B12 as mandatory and zinc, vitamin A, thiamine (vitamin B1), riboflavin (vitamin B2), niacin (vitamin B3), and pyridoxine (vitamin B6) as optional micronutrients.

FSSAI's guidelines on licenses for fortified rice kernels manufactured by FBOs

• If FBO is only producing FRK, then such FBO shall obtain FSSAI License/Registration under category 99, sub-category 99.5.
• If FBO is blending sourced FRKs with normal rice, then the final product produced will be fortified rice, and the product category for fortified rice is 06, with licensing required accordingly.

Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs)

GMP procedures should be followed during fortification of rice kernels to assure food wholesomeness. It is important for your business to follow the minimum sanitary and processing conditions required in a processing plant.

What is the need for rice fortification?

• Fortification of staple food is a common practice all over the world.
• It is a way to carry the leading nutrients where the diet mainly consists of rice, or other foods are not available or affordable. This will lead to deficiency in essential micronutrients and develop "hidden hunger" which is a global concern. One third of the world's population suffers from hidden hunger that ultimately affects overall development and economic well-being.

Impact and outcome of FRK

• Rice is replaced with fortified rice to boost its nutritional profile as it is a great solution for health-conscious consumers.
• Countries where fortified rice is used see a reduction in micronutrient deficiency health issues like anaemia and neural tube defects.
• Under the ministry guidelines 10 gm of FRK must be blended with 1 kg of regular rice. According to FSSAI norms, 1 kg of fortified rice will contain iron (28 mg–42.5 mg), folic acid (75–125 microgram) and vitamin B-12 (0.75–1.25 microgram).
• Fortified rice appears like milled rice in size, shape and colour, however it contains additional vitamins and minerals that retain their micronutrient content when washed and boiled in water.

Inspection is mandatory to get license for FRK

• Good manufacturing practices and food safety guidelines as per FSSAI standard guidelines must be followed.
• Every fortified rice kernels manufacturing unit will be inspected before grant of license.
• FSSAI has set standards for fortified rice and the level of fortification of iron, folic acid and Vitamin B12 on a per kg basis.

Fortified Rice Kernel Testing in Our Lab

We provide fortified rice kernels testing services in our external labs located in pan India locations. We have state-of-the-art equipment and bespoke testing facilities. Our external labs are approved by BIS, NABL and FSSAI. We ensure reliable testing service for FRK customers for testing Iron, Folic acid, and Vitamin B12 in the FRK.